City of New Orleans to provide logistical support to Venezuelan Consulate during Venezuelan presidential election

October 01, 2012

NEW ORLEANS, LA – On Sunday, October 7, 2012, the City of New Orleans will provide logistical support to the New Orleans-based Consulate General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to facilitate registered Venezuelan voters expected to travel to the city to cast ballots in the Venezuelan national elections.

Voting will take place beginning at 6 am on October 7 at a polling center in Lobby A of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Boulevard in New Orleans. The Venezuelan Consulate in New Orleans is responsible for all aspects of the election process at the polling center. As it would for other large-scale events, the City of New Orleans will provide logistical support, including uniformed officers to direct traffic and ensure public safety outside the Convention Center.

Due to the January 2012 closure of the Venezuelan Consulate in Miami, Venezuelan citizens living in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have been instructed to travel to New Orleans, which has the closest Venezuelan Consulate, in order to vote in the Venezuelan presidential election. As with past elections, Venezuelans citizens living in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee will vote in New Orleans. For the October 7 election, these individuals will also vote at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Uniformed officers will be on hand to ensure public safety and to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic. Charter buses will park in Lot F and visiting voters will be directed to the covered areas along the convention center to Lobby A.

Motorists will not be allowed to make drop-offs at Lobby A.

Due to anticipated heavy traffic around the Convention Center Boulevard and adjacent streets, New Orleans residents are advised to find alternate routes if travelling in the area.